let out that big sigh of relief. we made it to friday. 

for most of us, it was back to the grind this week. and man was i feeling that grind. it was my first REALLY busy week as an instructor and i am more than ready for a two day break after my ten am class tomorrow. 

don't get me wrong, it was an awesome week. but i'm physically exhausted and ready for some r&r. 

and this weekend, i am a very lucky lady. my husband managed to actually get a sunday off (a real rarity when you manage a restaurant). so i'm planning a little sunday funday. and while summer may be all about sunday brunches out and about, sundays in january are all about football on the couch and irish coffees.

if that sell didn't convince you to try this warming cocktail, maybe the whipped cream on top will do the trick. 

irish coffee
serves: 1
prep time: 10 minutes (or however long your coffee brew method takes)
active time: 1 minute
total time: 11 minutes
ingredients: 1 cup coffee brewed how you like (wes and i either french press or use a pour over method, but do you boo boo). 1.5 oz irish whiskey (jameson is my go to). 1 oz irish cream. whipped cream to top. 

pour your hot coffee into your preferred mug. 

add in your whiskey. 

and then your irish cream. 

stir well to combine. 

top with whipped cream and enjoy hot. 

xo, a

irish coffee
serves: 1
prep time: 10 minutes (or however long your coffee brew method takes)
active time: 1 minute
total time: 11 minutes
ingredients: 1 cup coffee brewed how you like (wes and i either french press or use a pour over method, but do you boo boo). 1.5 oz irish whiskey (jameson is my go to). 1 oz irish cream. whipped cream to top.
pour your hot coffee into your preferred mug.
add in your whiskey.
and then your irish cream.
stir well to combine.
top with whipped cream and enjoy hot.

being a gourmet at home is not so much about using dozens of ingredients, tweezing your components onto your plate or molecular gastronomy. being a gourmet at home is all about doing small things that make a big impact to your guests, your kids, or just you. 

spiced nuts are an amazing and delicious snack to make and keep on hand. and the best part? anyone can make them. they are even great to make with your kids. there are no knife skills needed. 

now, the spice blend below will be delicious on any nut, but right now i am really loving pistachios. they are vibrant in color, bold in flavor and they are very high in protein making them almost meaty. they are great as a snack on their own, tossed in a salad or chopped up in a tasty cream sauce. 

spiced pistachios
serves: 8 oz pistachios
prep time: 3 minutes
cook time: 10 minutes
total time: 13 minutes
ingredients: 8 oz salted and roasted pistachios. 3 tbs butter. 1 tbs brown sugar. 1 tsp garlic powder. .5 tsp paprika. .5 tsp cinnamon. .25 tsp cumin. .25 ground pepper. .25 tsp cumin. pinch of cayenne pepper. 

start by combining all your spices and the pistachios in a medium bowl. toss well so the spices are well combined. 

in a medium pan, heat the butter over medium heat until melted and bubbling. 

pour in the nut and spice blend and stir until all the nuts are lightly coated in spices and butter. 

toast the pistachios until the brown sugar begins to caramelize and your spices begin to smell fragrant. about 7-10 minutes. make sure to stir the pistachio every couple minutes so everything toasts evenly. 

remove from the heat and allow to completely cool. store in an airtight container for up to two months. 

xo, a

spiced pistachios
serves: 8 oz pistachios
prep time: 3 minutes
cook time: 10 minutes
total time: 13 minutes
ingredients: 8 oz salted and roasted pistachios. 3 tbs butter. 1 tbs brown sugar. 1 tsp garlic powder. .5 tsp paprika. .5 tsp cinnamon. .25 tsp cumin. .25 ground pepper. .25 tsp cumin. pinch of cayenne pepper.
start by combining all your spices and the pistachios in a medium bowl. toss well so the spices are well combined.
in a medium pan, heat the butter over medium heat until melted and bubbling.
pour in the nut and spice blend and stir until all the nuts are lightly coated in spices and butter.
toast the pistachios until the brown sugar begins to caramelize and your spices begin to smell fragrant. about 7-10 minutes. make sure to stir the pistachio every couple minutes so everything toasts evenly.
remove from the heat and allow to completely cool. store in an airtight container for up to two months.